Ford Interceptor Concept Holds the Future Designs of Ford

The Ford Interceptor is a new concept car which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. It is a retro-styled sedan which promises to satisfy any performance lover everywhere. Freeman Thomas, director, North American Strategic Design said “These people might need more space, but they still appreciate the power and attitude that cars like this represent.”

There are two things that make the Interceptor immense; the way it looks and the way it drives.
Under the hood is a 400 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine, capable of running on E-85 ethanol. Said engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, operated via a sexy, Ferrari-style gated shifter.

The new Interceptor concept might somehow look familiar, it copies the design language of last year's concept pickup truck, the F-250 Super Chief. Prevailing features consist of Ford's three-bar grille and rectangle headlamps below a flat clamshell hood. A little further back, it includes chrome fender vents, an exaggerated waistline, a narrow, chrome-trimmed greenhouse and huge wheels to accentuate its chopped, mob-boss profile.

Personally, I like the looks of that car! This should be a top seller; the sooner they get it produced, the better. Ford can really make a good product when they try hard enough

What’s disappointing is that the Interceptor will probably stay as a design concept as an inspiration for future production models. Ford may also not come up with the cash to develop the Interceptor into production due to a tough financial crisis.

Self Parking Cars Will be Brought to US Auto Market

A car that actually will do the parking is already in production today. Advanced Parking Guidance System (APGS) is an automatic parking system first developed by Toyota Motor Corporation. It was first featured on the latest Lexus models and hybrid Prius models for the year 1994. It is known as the Intelligent Park Assist system in European market. It was first available in Japan since 2003, but there are reports that Toyota would be bringing this useful technology to the Prius models available that are available in USA.

Parallel parking is a nightmare for many drivers, but every one of them must be aware and be familiar with this method because of the limited parking spaces that are available in big cities. Most drivers know that parking in very small spaces takes a lot of vital skills, and it’s really not an easy job. Luckily, this APGS technology has the answer.

The self-parking feature combines a rear-mounted camera, power steering and runs on specially designed software that guides the car backwards towards the sidewalk edges. The Intuitive Park Assist feature includes multiple sensors on the forward and rear bumpers which detect obstacles, allowing the system to sound warnings and calculate optimum steering angles during regular parking.

With this new technology, drivers don’t need to maneuver the car back and forth. He simply just presses a button, sit back, and relax. The only task that a driver must be mindful is controlling the speed of the car, through the brake pedal.

A Fresher Civic

Honda Civic is a compact car manufactured by Honda. It quickly became a favorite in America after its introduction in 1972. By then, Honda is known for its motorcycles, but it later changed its known image as a car manufacturer after the release of the civic.

The Civic hybrid version became available in 2003, which used both a small 1.3 liters main gasoline engine and auxiliary electric motors

Today a carryover of the old 2007 Civic is being produced which is named as 2008 Civic Hybrid. It is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in two trims, the CVT AT-PZEV and the CVT AT-PZEV w/ Navigation System.



“Both trims are equipped with a standard 1.3-liter, I4, 110-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 40-mpg in the city and 45-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.” Most find the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid's ride similar to the conventional Civics’.

Compared to its predecessors, the redesigned Civic looks "futuristic." It doesn’t look quite racy but it definitely is much fresher looking.

It has the following classy and very futuristic interior features; a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™** with Voice Recognition; 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6 Speakers; and an average Fuel Consumption Indicator.

The Civic provides a long list of standard safety equipment including daytime running lights, and a four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).

The EPA testifies that the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in city driving and 51 on the highway. This is truly fuel economic.

An Impressive Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse gets a facelift for the 2009 model year, and it debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. The 2008 Eclipse is a 2-door, 4-passenger family coupe, or sports coupe, available in 4 trims, ranging from the GS to the SE-V6. It is a convertible version of the Eclipse coupe.
“The GS is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 162-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The SE-V6 is equipped with a standard 3.8-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.” It either mates with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

This new model has a unique design, it leaves most reviewers impressed. It has a slick roofline that makes it look good. It also features standard or optional retractable hardtops. It has an automatic tonneau cover and an integrated clear chrome rear spoiler.

Materials are made up of attractive vinyls, leather and elegant plastics, but everything has been put together with care and luxury.

But some comments with its interior have been brought up with this car. It has motorcycle-inspired gauges that are better left for use in motorcycles. These gauges are hard to read because they're set in deep coves and have small markings.

Another Concept Truck from Toyota

The Toyota A-BAT is a concept truck manufactured by Toyota which was revealed last December 27, 2007 and has officially debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was developed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and Calty, Toyota's North American-based, research and design center located in Newport Beach, California.

This truck concept rides on a unibody platform for car-like handling. Its unique aerodynamic exterior was crafted by Calty Project Chief Designer Ian Cartabiano and Creative Designer Matt Sperling.

It has 19-inch wheels which creates a tough stance. It has a bold grille that showcases Toyota's reverse trapezoid and T-face theme in a new way," explained Cartabiano. I can say that although the A-BAT is rugged and has a spirited exterior. The A-BAT features a four-foot bed, but has more functional flexibility than other pickup trucks in the segment.

It has other cool features such as; rear seatback can fold down, allowing the cargo bed to expand; also a pull-out storage bins in the side walls and a first-aid kit in the tailgate; it also has a solar panel that charges a portable battery pack. It is a good thing that Toyota has a good idea of recharging battery packs while parked for a long period.

All is well with this vehicle. I am glad that Toyota actually attempted to design something that wasn't boring. They certainly get a point for that. This would be absolutely the thing for a weekend. It is very versatile and unique. I am so amazed with this. I actually want one for myself.

The Scion Hako Coupe Concept

The Scion Hako Coupe is a concept car unveiled by the automaker Scion at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Scion says that this concept is based on the current xB and is called “the sporty version of a box.” I did a quick search online and I have found out that ‘Hako’ literally means a ‘cube.’ The shape of this concept really does resemble the Scion brand. It is a great idea because its unusual design will surely have a great popularization effect.

According to Jack Hollis, Scion vice president "Scion's Hako Coupe Concept embodies a distinct global perspective on today's youth,"

"The Hako Coupe features a vertical windshield. It is equipped with a flat, panorama roof that features a random, barcode-like pattern that can be seen on the exterior and from the interior. The rear bumper has an integrated fog and back up light on the left and exhaust on the right.”

The interior features a front and rear seats that are covered with urethane and rubber-like upholstery for easy cleaning. “The entertainment system consists of two video monitor screens mounted on the dash for radio, video, and music capabilities.” As for the size, Hako is 20 inches shorter than the xB.

This is going to be a very interesting but risky design for Scion. I kinda like it personally. But I wouldn’t expect everyone to feel the same specially if it will be used for daily activity. But everyone must relax because it is just a concept.

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Corvette ZR1 is a high performance version of the Chevrolet Corvette. It was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show last January. Chevrolet says that the engine will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus hp car on the market, a claim which is not hard to believe due to the Corvette Z06 getting a respectable 24 mpg on the highway. Also, preliminary testing shows the ZR1 was built in accordance of the Z06 in every performance category. Chevrolet's goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver.

The auto makers developed a unique chemical treatment that prevents the resin from deteriorating in sunlight. Carbon-fiber fenders feature twin air-extraction vents to cool the engine bay and also improve airflow into the engine. Because blowers add weight, great lightening efforts were executed in the front panel, the fenders, the hood and even the outer panel.

The ZR1 has its simply huge carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors designed for Ferrari Enzo. They're simply breathtaking to see up-close. The interior is identical to the regular Corvette. The makers reengineered its shocks to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered in track duty

It is definitely a fantastic car, it is close to the Z06 but it has numerous aesthetical modifications done that made it more attractive or even better performing. So anyone who liked the Z06 will surely love this one.